Divine Mercy is–

Infinite.

Free.

Bold.

Powerful.

Trustworthy.

I am–

A pilgrim of mercy.

There can be no peace without forgiveness. Forgiveness is one of the central lessons in the life and teachings of Jesus. It plays a powerful role in the spiritual health of every person. It also plays a powerful role in every relationship, and it is essential to the life of any healthy community. Whether that community is as small as a family or as large as a nation. It is also essential to giving and receiving divine mercy. When we forgive, we share the love of God with others and rid ourselves of dangerous poisons that can prevent us from growing spiritually. The benefits are clear, but that doesn't make it easy. Who is my neighbor? Maybe the most important question when it comes to human relations. But very close behind it is the question, how many times do I have to forgive my neighbor? Peter came to Jesus and asked, "How many times shall I forgive a brother or sister who has sinned against me? As many as seven?" Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but 77 times." Without forgiveness, our souls begin to fill with anger, resentment, frustration, and anxiety. Choosing not to forgive someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. When we choose not to forgive, we turn our backs on God and abandon the best version of ourselves. Everybody needs to forgive somebody.

Whom do you need to forgive? Whom is God inviting you to forgive now? Forgiveness is also a powerful countercultural element of Christianity. What Jesus taught about forgiveness was and is radical. And yet He calls us beyond forgiveness. One of His most radical teachings is, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." What was the teaching before Jesus wandered into the synagogue that morning? An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. We spoke about it yesterday. We may have heard the reading many times, but the moment Jesus proclaimed this teaching was actually one of the great moral, ethical, and spiritual advances in human history. Jesus spiritually outlawed revenge and vengeance with one sentence. What is He saying? He's saying, "Love Emperor Nero, Adolf Hitler, Osama bin Laden, and child molesters and pray for them." I get it. I'm with you. This teaching is so radical that when we really stop and think about it, our chests get tight, the airways to our lungs become constricted, and we find it hard to breathe. But that's Christianity. That's the call. That's the radical nature of what Jesus was inviting us to. Who are your enemies? When was the last time you prayed for them? There are some people who say they don't have any enemies. They simply have not thought it through.

Who are the people on television who make your skin crawl and your blood boil? Who are the people who represent ideas that are at the other end of the ideological spectrum from everything that you hold to be good, true, noble, and just. These people are your enemies. And when was the last time you prayed for them? It's radical. I get it. It is radical. And let's not forget the everyday ways people wrong you. They steal your parking spot. Jump in front of you to get through the express lane at the supermarket or say things about you that are just not true. Forgiveness is one of the most radical challenges Jesus levels at us. It is at once incredibly spiritual and monumentally practical. Our willingness to forgive and be forgiven often reveal the depth or limitations of our Christianity. Forgiveness is one of the most powerful and practical expressions of divine mercy we can participate in. But how?

Many years ago, a priest gave a homily on forgiveness that I'll never forget. The priest invited us to call to mind one person that we were having trouble forgiving. He then led us through the Our Father, but with a fresh twist. He told us that when we came to the line, "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us," we were to lift that person up to God in our hearts at that moment. I invite you to try this exercise with me right now. Think of that person you struggled to forgive. Name them in your heart. Whisper their name out loud if you're alone. Name the way they hurt you. Now, keep them in your mind as we pray together. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. Mercy is always an invitation to a better life. Trust, surrender, believe, receive. Are you sick and tired of hearing people say mass is boring? We want to eradicate those words from the Catholic vocabulary forever. Our Catholic Moments Initiative has already delivered groundbreaking programs for confirmation, first communion, first reconciliation, daily prayer, baptism, marriage preparation, and the fourth quarter of your life. And this year, we're excited to announce we're creating a game-changing program that will transform the way Catholics, young and old, experience the mass.

Nobody who experiences this program will ever say mass is boring ever again. Everyone knows that mass is boring. Epidemic is a huge problem. The question is, who's willing to do something about it? If you are a dynamic Catholic ambassador, thank you. And this is what we are spending your money on this year. If you are not a Dynamic Catholic Ambassador, become one today. And together, let's eradicate masses boring from the Catholic vernacular. Click the button below and choose your welcome gifts today. If you're already an Ambassador, increase your gift, and we will send you these exciting new gifts also. Thank you for partnering with us to put an end to mass is boring. God bless you. And remember, Be Bold, Be Catholic.

Eternal God.

In whom mercy is endless.

And the treasury of compassion inexhaustible.

Look kindly upon us.

And increase your mercy in us.

That in difficult moments–

We might not despair–

Nor become despondent.

But with great confidence.

Submit ourselves to your holy will.

Which is love and mercy itself.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

See you tomorrow.

Thank you, Ambassadors.

You are changing the world.

Have a great day.

Have a great day.

Have a great day!

Hey, Harry. One of the best ways to be a pilgrim of mercy is to collaborate with God to create holy moments. So I figured while we got a couple of moments here, you could inspire the audience. So let me ask you, what is today's Holy Moment Challenge?

Ask for forgiveness for something you've done wrong.